Limits using Sandwich Theorem

LIMITS OF FUNCTIONS USING THE SQUEEZE PRINCIPLE

The following problems involve the algebraic computation of limits using the Squeeze
Principle, which is given below.

SQUEEZE PRINCIPLE (Sandwich Theorem) : Assume that functions f , g , and h

satisfy

and

Then

(NOTE : The quantity A may be a finite number, , or . The quantitiy L may be a

finite number, , or .)

The Squeeze Principle is used on limit problems where the usual algebraic methods
(factoring, conjugation, algebraic manipulation, etc.) are not effective. However, it
requires that you be able to ``squeeze'' your problem in between two other ``simpler''
functions whose limits are easily computable and equal. The use of the Squeeze Principle
requires accurate analysis, deft algebra skills, and careful use of inequalities.

PROBLEM 1 : Compute .

SOLUTION 1 : First note that

because of the well-known properties of the sine function. Since we are computing the
limit as x goes to infinity, it is reasonable to assume that x > 0 . Thus,

.
Since

it follows from the Squeeze Principle that

PROBLEM 2 : Compute

SOLUTION 2 : First note that

because of the well-known properties of the cosine function. Now multiply by -1,
reversing the inequalities and getting

or

Next, add 2 to each component to get

Since we are computing the limit as x goes to infinity, it is reasonable to assume that x +
3 > 0. Thus,

Since

,
it follows from the Squeeze Principle that

PROBLEM 3 : Compute .

SOLUTION 3 : First note that

because of the well-known properties of the cosine function, and therefore

Since we are computing the limit as x goes to infinity, it is reasonable to assume that 3 -
2x < 0. Now divide each component by 3 - 2x, reversing the inequalities and getting

or

Since

it follows from the Squeeze Principle that

.
PROBLEM 4 : Compute

SOLUTION 4 : Note that DOES NOT EXIST since values of

oscillate between -1 and +1 as x approaches 0 from the left. However, this does NOT

necessarily mean that does not exist ! ? #. Indeed, x3 < 0 and

for x < 0. Multiply each component by x3, reversing the inequalities and getting

or

Since

it follows from the Squeeze Principle that

PROBLEM 5 : Compute ..

SOLUTION 5 : First note that

 ,

so that

and

Since we are computing the limit as x goes to infinity, it is reasonable to assume that
x+100 > 0. Thus, dividing by x+100 and multiplying by x2, we get

and

Then

= .

Similarly,
 = .

Thus, it follows from the Squeeze Principle that

= (does not exist).

PROBLEM 6 : Compute .

SOLUTION 6 : First note that

so that

and

Then

=
 =

=5.

Similarly,

=5.

Thus, it follows from the Squeeze Principle that

=5.

PROBLEM 7 : Compute ..

SOLUTION 7 : First note that

and

so that

and
 .

Since we are computing the limit as x goes to negative infinity, it is reasonable to assume
that x-3 < 0. Thus, dividing by x-3, we get

or

Now divide by x2 + 1 and multiply by x2 , getting

Then

=
 =

=0.

Similarly,

=0.

It follows from the Squeeze Principle that

=0.

PROBLEM 8 : Assume that exists and .

Find

SOLUTION 8 : Since

and

= ,

it follows from the Squeeze Principle that

that is,
 .

Thus,

PROBLEM 9 : Consider a circle of radius 1 centered at the origin and an angle of

radians, , in the given diagram.
 a.) By considering the areas of right triangle OAD, sector OAC, and right
triangle OBC, conclude that

b.) Use part a.) and the Squeeze Principle to show that

SOLUTION 9 : a.) First note that (See diagram below.)

area of triangle OAD < area of sector OAC < area of triangle OBC .

The area of triangle OAD is

 (base) (height) .

The area of sector OAC is

(area of circle) .

The area of triangle OBC is

(base) (height) .

It follows that

or

b.) If , then and , so that dividing by results in

Taking reciprocals of these positive quantities gives

or

.
Since

it follows from the Squeeze Principle that

PROBLEM 10 : Assume that

Show that f is continuous at x=0 .

SOLUTION 10 : Recall that function f is continuous at x=0 if

i.) f(0) is defined ,

ii.) exists ,

and

iii.) .

First note that it is given that

i.) f(0) = 0 .

Use the Squeeze Principle to compute . For we know that

,
so that

Since

it follows from the Squeeze Principle that

ii.) .

Finally,

iii.) ,

confirming that function f is continuous at x=0 .

Illustration: Evaluate limn→∞ ([x]+[2x]+[3x]+ ...........=[nx]) / n2 ,

where [.] denotes the greatest integer function.

Solution: We know that x - 1 < [x] ≤x

2x - 1 < [2x] ≤2x

3x - 1 < [3x] ≤3x

…………………………………

nx - 1 < n[x] ≤nx

⇒ x + 2x + .......... + nx -n < ∑r=1n [rx] ≤ x + 2x + ......... + nx

⇒ (x.n (n+1))/2-n < ∑r=1n [rx] ≤ (x.n (n+1))/2

⇒ x/2 (1+1/n)-1/n < 1/n2 ∑r=1n [rx] ≤ x/2 (1+1/n)

 Now, limn→∞ x/2 (1+1/n) = x/2 and limn→∞ x/2 (1+1/n)-1/n = x/2.

Using Sandwich theorem we find that limn→∞ ([x]+[2x]+ ..........+[nx])/n2 = x/2

Alternative solution:

We know that [rx] = rx = rx -{xr}

for r=1, 2, 3, ........ n and 0 ≤{x_r }<1 for each r.

Also ∑r=1n [rx] = ∑r=1n ((rx)-{xr } )

= x∑r=1n r - ∑r=1n {xr} = x (n(n+1))/2-k

where k < n (since each {xr}<1).

Hence limn→∞ 1/n2∑r=1n [rx] = limn→∞ ∑r=1n [x/2 (1+1/n)-k/n2 ] = x/2

Illustration: Evaluate the following limits, if these exist. Here {x} denotes the
fractional part and [.] the greatest integer part.

(i) limx→0 (x tan 2x - 2x tan x )/(1-cos 2x )2

(ii) limx→∞ (1+1/(a+bx))c+dx (a, b, c, d are positive)

(iii) limx→3 ([x]-3)/((x-3))

Solution:
(iii) limx→3 ([x]-3)/(x-3)

Towards the right of x = 3, [x]=3

⇒[x] -3=0, in the right neighbourhood of x=3

⇒limx→3+0 ([x]-3)/(x-3)=0

Towards the left of x=3, [x]=2

⇒[x] -3=-1, in the left neighborhood of x =3

⇒limx→3+0 ([x]-3)/(x-3) = limx→3+0 (-1)/(x-3) = ∞.

Thus limx→3 ([x]-3)/(x-3) does not exist.

Proving Theorem 7 or Proving Sandwich Theorem

Proof to Sandwich Theorem

From the above theorem, we have

=1

Using Sandwich theorem, we get